Obituary of Sister Rita Schmitz, OSF
Sister Rita (Raymond) Schmitz entered eternal life on April 20, 2024, at St. Patrick’s Residence, Naperville, Illinois. She was 97 and a member of the Joliet Franciscans for 79 years. Joy, the hallmark of Franciscan presence, permeated her life.
Sister Rita Schmitz was born on June 15, 1926, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Sarah (Sadie) Scullen and Arthur L. Schmitz. There were five children in the family: Arthur William, Ralph John, Raymond Albert, Charles James, and Rita. All of her brothers preceded Rita in death. Sister Rita is survived by her nieces and nephews who love her dearly and many friends who will miss her smile and many kind ways.
A true Buckeye, Sister Rita grew up in Columbus, Ohio. She attended elementary and junior high at St. John the Evangelist School, continued high school at Holy Rosary, and graduated in the Class of 1944 from St. Joseph Academy, Columbus, Ohio. Entering religious life brought Sister Rita to Joliet, Illinois, where she earned her BA in Education from the College of St. Francis (1956) and continued her studies at DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, where she received her MA in Education (1966).
Sister Rita taught grades 2 to 8 beginning with the second grade (1947) at St. Pascal School, Chicago, Illinois. In 1960 she became principal at Most Pure Heart of Mary School, Shelby, Ohio, (1960-1963) and served as principal at St. Bernard School, Joliet, Illinois (1963-1968).
Through Franklin County Children Services, Grove City, Ohio, Sister Rita became a school social worker. She continued social work with the Franklin County Department of Human Services, in Columbus, Ohio. In Columbus and Westerville, Ohio, (1986-1993) Sister began to care for the elderly in their own home. In her retirement, Sister Rita continued to share her joyful prayerful presence at Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, Ascension Villa Franciscan Place, Joliet, Illinois, and St. Patrick’s Residence, Naperville, Illinois.
Visitation for Sister Rita Schmitz will be held at 10:00 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 404 North Hickory Street, Joliet, Illinois, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, followed by the Mass for Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Rememberances and interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Lockbourne, Ohio, at a later date.
If you would like to make a donation in honor of Sister Rita Schmitz or another Joliet Franciscan Sister, please send your memorial to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 1433 Essington Road, Joliet, IL, 60435.
For more information please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
